The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu on Friday said that it would take Nigeria about 120 years to meet the required medical doctor/patients ratio considered by World Health Organization if there is no brain drain.
Adamu stated this in his goodwill message at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences in the Otukpo area of Benue State.
The minister who was represented by the permanent secretary, Sonny Echono said that in order to meet the required ratio of one doctor to 600 patients informed the university of health sciences in the country.
According to the minister, “The ratio stipulates one doctor to every 600 patients (1:6) this contrasts with the current one to 6000 (1:6000) ratio in Nigeria.
“It will take Nigeria about 120 years to have the number of doctors it needs, assuming all our doctors remain in the country.
The minister further lamented the quality of training, competencies and skills needed in the medical profession which he said had become problematic, “this is due to a combination of inadequate personnel and facilities.
“This was further exacerbated the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic which exposed the weak institutional capacity for disease control and surveillance in the country.
“To overcome these challenges, the Federal Government established the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, the first in the country to bridge the gap with the benefit of a clear vision, strong leadership and outstanding academic body, an innovative pedagogical model and management framework.
“In summary, the institution is established to provide specialized training, research and facilities in the field of medical and health sciences that will reverse the brain drain in the education and health sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Meanwhile the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Uja appreciated the president, Major General Muhammad Buhari retd, former president, Goodluck Jonathan and former president of the Senate, Senator David Mark for the establishment of the University.
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